Prevalence and associations with ectropion in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye Study

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of eyelid ectropion an d its associations with sunlight-related and other ocular variables, plus s ystemic factors, in an older Australian population. The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 persons aged 49-97 years. Examination recorded ectropio n and other ocular signs. The questionnaire assessed sunlight-related and s ystemic variables. Ectropion was present in either eye of 143 subjects (3.9 %) and was bilateral in 101 (70.6%). A marked age-related increase in preva lence was observed with ectropion found in 0.3% of persons aged < 60 years, 1.2% of ages 60-69 years, 6.7% of ages 70-79 years and 16.7% of those aged 80 years or older. Ectropion prevalence was higher in men (5.1%) than wome n (3.0%), age-adjusted odds ratio 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.5-3.0). St atistically significant associations were found between ectropion and histo ry of skin cancer removal, increased skin sun sensitivity, lighter iris col our and presence of pingueculum, as well as current smoking, hypertension, diabetes and stroke.